Free clothes, work attire and free clothing closets.
Low income families can get free clothes for work, year round wear or even seasonal items from a clothing closet near them. Churches and charity organizations operate them in most local communities. While the exact types of assistance provided by each distribution center will vary, in general a clothing bank or closet near you is a free store that gives clothes or vouchers to low-income as well as struggling families.
The sites will allow qualified customers the ability to both browse and “shop” for free new or gently used clothes or vouchers to buy the stuff they need. There will be free clothes for people of all ages and sizes, whether infants, seniors on social security or single mothers. Homeless people as well as those with no money can also use a clothing closet near them to get the supplies they need. The main categories of clothing assistance programs include the following.
How to get free clothes in your area?
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The free clothing banks, or “stores”, will try to provide basic needs free of charge to those who qualify. They often stock a wide variety of products. The centers help children, the elderly, parents with a newborn, single moms, the homeless and the working poor - really anyone is in need of something to wear. However some locations may have minimal fees or costs that are due in order to get free used (or new) clothes depending on donation levels at that center. Or they require proof of income and a hardship before clothes are passed out.
The organizations, including charities as well as churches, generally rely heavily on donations and contributions from the community as these are not government run organizations. This means that the inventory changes and will be limited. Only high quality items are offered for resale to the general public, whether clothing for work or general wear. Donated goods may come from personal gifts, corporate retail donations, and maybe even government programs.
Some of the clients have needs that resulted from the loss of a home from a disaster (such as a fire) or financial challenges from the loss of income, such as unemployment, and in these cases emergency help may be offered. Some cities also have centers that provide work clothing to formerly homeless people or those leaving jail who are looking for a job. In addition to using donations, many of the free clothing banks also rely on volunteers to help staff the centers. Long story short is while these programs do help, the clothing closets are very local in nature and they all have different rules, regulations, and application processes.
Types of free clothes offered from a distribution center near you
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What is available to the general public and clients will change, often daily. As everything offered will depend on donations and current demand. Some examples of what can be provided by a free clothing assistance program near you are below.
- Seasonal clothing including winter attire such as coats, hats, mittens, boots, and snow pants. Kids and seniors are a focus of the winter clothing programs.
- School supplies may be offered such as new backpacks, calculators, uniforms, sneakers, and notebooks.
- New and pregnant mothers may be able to get help too, including diapers, formula, baby wipes, maternity clothing and related items. Or look here for free baby clothes samples.
- Other year round, general clothes such as new underwear and socks, shoes, belts, jackets, and more. Both women and men can get the clothes or personal items they need for themselves or their families, with a variety of sizes offered.
- Work items, such as professional attire including suits, dresses, and pants. Many charity clothing closets also give out free medical uniforms or help teachers get the stuff they need for the school year.
- Most charitable run clothing banks have free clothes for girls as well as feminine products and try to meet that need.
Some charitable run clothing banks pass out gift certificates as well for more specific clothes that also help a low income family pay for the stuff they need. Many locations, which are listed below, also often work closely with local thrift stores. The charities provide consumers with ample opportunities to bargain shop.
Emergency clothes are offered for free too. A charity or local church may step up to help people recovering from a disaster, such as flood, house-fire or other event. While the last minute inventory may be even more limited, those clothing items will usually be free of charge to those who have an immediate need or who are faced with an emergency.
Locations of a free clothing closet near you
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Select a state, county or county below for information on clothing assistance programs near you. All the centers rely on donations. But they giveaway from clothes to anyone in need, whether they are kids, adults, seniors or disabled. Some require proof of income while other locations don’t. There are clothing items for people of all genders, people shapes and sizes too.
Free clothing closets can also be run by national charity or non-profit organizations such as the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, or St. Vincent de Paul in your area. These charitable organizations often combine the location with a low cost thrift store.
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Free clothes from national groups including the Salvation Army, non-profits or Catholic Charities
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Free Coats for Kids is available in many cold weather states, including the northeast and Midwest. Non-profit clothing centers as well as partner organizations collect warm weather goods from the community. The Salvation Army and Operation Warm are major participants.
- The clothing closets that operate these programs then provide the warm coats, gloves, hats and other items to children and students, free of charge as part of Coats for Kids or a similar program. These individuals tend to be most at risk from the cold winter weather and need the jackets. The locations also always have pressing needs for donations of men's, children's and women's winter coats in sizes large and small. Read more on free winter clothes.
While not as common, some clothing centers will also have household goods. This can include small furniture items, household items such as curtains and dishes, cleaning items, small appliances, and free cribs for babies. However those particular items tend to be sold more at thrift stores and consumers will need to pay a minimal price for them. If you have an emergency or were impacted by a disaster such as a fire, then some people may qualify for free furniture. Get details on free furniture near you.
The sick, disabled, senior citizens and their caregivers can borrow basic medical equipment from a closet. They are located at both charities as well as churches. In general, it is a clothing closet that also has basic medical supplies. There are items passed out, often at no cost, to the low income family. While the client needs to eventually return the equipment, the centers can help fill a certain need. Locate a free medical loan closet.
There are also charities that offer low income families baby stuff. There may be an age cut-off in place, but struggling parents or single mothers may get help with clothing as well as any other needs they may have. There may also be items given for expectant moms. Maternity clothes, diapers, furniture, and more is provided. Find free baby stuff.
There are thousands of churches and parishes (some of which may be near you) across the nation that are part of the Catholic Charities organization. They will accept donations of personal hygiene items, clothing, and small household items. The donated goods, including clothes, will be cleaned, folded, and prepared for distribution. Most communities have Catholic Charity supported clothing closets in their region and the centers will pass out the items to low income families and others who are faced with an emergency. Continue with Catholic Charities assistance programs.
Free or low cost stuff is also available from other organizations, not just clothing closets. There are government agencies that provide items, churches, countless charities, and even stores such as WalMart or Target. Families living in poverty, especially those with children, as well as the elderly can often receive clothing, household supplies, personal hygiene items and more. In some cases, gift cards as well as grants can be used to help pay for clothes or other goods. read more programs that offer free stuff.
Love in the Name of Christ is another national charity that provides basic needs to families that are facing a crisis. Churches across the nation coordinate their resources as part of Love, Inc. Then, when someone needs help, such as free clothing or school supplies, they contact the clearinghouse in their town for referrals. The ministries may have winter coats, uniforms for students, furniture, Christmas toys, and other items. Locations also tend to operate a thrift store. Find details on local Love Inc. near you.
Salvation Army Clothes Closets and Family Stores near you will often have items available as well. The non-profit will have free work and school clothing, winter coats in cold weather states, shoes, baby supplies, children’s clothes and maybe even goods such as diapers for new moms. There may also be clothing for young girls, women or boys.
- While some of the locations will have on site clothing closets that pass out the goods at no cost to clients, other Salvation Army centers will operate thrift stores for the general public. Or they give out free gift cards to people with no money so they can buy the clothes they need. This will allow people of all income levels and background the ability to shop for and purchase items at a low cost. Find details on programs from Salvation Army.
Freecycle Network clothing programs are available nationwide. The non-profit operates in most communities with the goal of helping people get the stuff they need, for free, in an effort to reduce waste. This means that free clothes, sneakers, coats and other gently used items can be found using the company and their app. Find a Freecycle Network giveaway near you.
Thrift stores also save households money. In fact, many people that shop at these locations may be able to buy goods, such as clothes or work uniforms, at over 80% off normal retail prices. There are thousands of these second hand stores around the country, and they are located in most towns and counties. Most are also run by charities or local churches. In fact, many consignment type shops are located near, or are run in partnership, with clothing closets. Find how to get savings at thrift stores.
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